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Departmental Spotlight

As part of a regular feature, one department in Student Affairs will be in the spotlight each month. This month we spotlight Housing and Residential Life.

Mission Statement
To support the mission of the University and the Division of Student Affairs by providing a living environment that fosters the educational pursuits of a diverse student population. The campus residential community provides unique opportunities for personal growth and development, leadership experiences through student participation in programming and activities, and developing an appreciation of and sensitivity to differences. The facilities and services are designed to provide a supportive and safe environment, accommodating the needs of students.

On-Campus Living Offers
Excellence, campus involvement, connections, academic & personal growth, convenience, leadership opportunities, independence, lifelong friendships, academic resources, safety, community, state of the art-living, empowerment, employment opportunities, success, security, and worldwide culture exposure. The benefits to living on-campus are numerous! Studies have shown that students who live on campus are more involved in academic and co-curricular activities, more satisfied with their overall university experience, and tend to succeed at a higher rate than the general university student. Residents have numerous opportunities to meet new people, attend wonderful educational, social, and cultural programs, and make life lasting friendships. Living on campus also offers students the convenience of saving the time and stress associated with commuting to class and being surrounded by what’s going on around campus– movies, concerts, theatre, sporting events, the recreation center, the library, the bookstore–you name it, all within a five minute walk.

We are the Department of Housing and Residential Life Our department is composed of the following services housing, residential life, and facilities management. We provide services, programs, and resources to make residents home at FIU exciting and vibrant. We strive to provide residents with an environment that promotes personal growth, academic success, and a sense of community. Our staff transforms our residential areas into caring communities.

The Housing Office
The Housing Office provides general housing information, processes housing agreements and room assignments, manages student billing and offers payment assistance. We also provide administrative support for business related functions, such as purchasing and budgeting. The Housing Office is located in the University Park Towers, Room 121.

The Office of Residential Life
Residential Life is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the residence halls and promotes the personal and academic success of students living in the residence halls. Through services, programs, and activities, staff develops positive communities conducive to student growth and success. The Office of Residential Life is located in Panther Hall, Room 126.

The Housing Facilities Office
Housing Facilities oversees and performs all aspects of student housing maintenance and custodial services and facilities management. The goal is to create and maintain a clean, safe, efficient residential environment supportive of student learning. The Housing Facilities Office is located in Lakeview South, Room140.

Student Programming and Academic Initiatives
Housing & Residential Life is committed to providing an environment for residents that is both enjoyable and educational. A variety of social programs are planned to help residents meet one another and become acclimated to the University environment. Residents can also choose to attend workshops to learn more about areas such as library research, term paper writing, test advising, and tutoring in the Academic Resource Center located in Lakeview Hall South.

Involvement Opportunities
Living on campus provides residents with more than just a place to live. Residents can take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved in the campus and Housing community. There are always programs and activities to attend– many of our residents even help in the planning of events that are of particular interest to them. The Residence Hall Association (RHA) provides an opportunity for students to become involved in issues concerning the residence halls through Village/Hall Councils.

Our Living Learning Communities
Finding your niche on a large campus can be challenging. Living Learning Communities (LLC) offer residents the benefit of living with others who share interests or majors. These communities are designed to be places where residents easily make friends and excel academically. Current communities are: First Year Residents Succeeding Together (F.Y.R.S.T.), F.Y.R.S.T. Explore, F.Y.R.S.T. Social Justice, Honors Place (for FTICs), Architecture and The Arts, Honors Place II (for upperclassmen), Leaders in Residence, and the Law Community.

Our Residence Halls
Offer Fully furnished apartments/suites; all utilities; a shared or private bathroom; a full kitchen in apartments or meal plan in traditional suite-style halls; high-speed wired (Ethernet) access; digital cable with multiple HD channels; tutoring; academic advising; 24-hour front desks; laundry facilities; vending areas; study/social lounges; multipurpose lounges; Wi-Fi lounges, and mailboxes.

Housing Administrative Staff
James Wassenaar, Executive Director  
Sue Beebe, Senior Associate Director
Gisela Vega, Associate Director for Assignments
Dwane Dunn, Assistant Director for Information Systems
Ivan Heredia, Assistant Director for Housing Facilities
Lisaidy Turino, Coordinator for Information Systems and Assignments
Cindy Galdos, Coordinator for Conferences and Marketing
Anthony Amable, Coordinator for Accounting

Residential Life Administrative Staff
Lynn Hendricks, Director
Ron Thompson, Associate Director
Joe Haeffel, Assistant Director
Adam Schwarz, Coordinator
Ebony Russ, Coordinator – Panther Hall
Marc Ebelhar, Coordinator – Everglades Hall
Nikki Kogan, Coordinator – Lakeview South
Jason Chokel, Coordinator – Lakeview North
Eric Price, Coordinator – University Park Towers
Gary Tan, Coordinator – University Park Apartments

Location
Housing Office
Modesto Maidique Campus
University Park Towers – room 121
(305) 348-4190

The Office of Residential Life
Modesto Maidique Campus
Panther Hall – room 126
(305) 348-3661

Biscayne Bay Campus
Bay Vista Housing
(305)919-5587

www.housing.fiu.edu

Picture Gallery
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